RETH

Her words pierced him like arrows. Lucine? Why would she bring Lucine up now? Did she truly wish to create a rift between them? Reth was floored.

"Why would you… are you trying to trap me, Elia?

" he asked quietly, trying to keep the hurt from his voice, but uncertain if he'd been successful. Every hair on his body wanted to stand up.

"No!

" she groaned.

"I'm trying to make a point! Unless I'm seen as being at least as capable as Lucine would have been, I'm a disadvantage to the Anima—at least, in the people's eyes. I'm asking you to help me!

"

It was an effort not to gape.

"I have been helping you! You've just finished telling me you don't want my help! You want to do this on your own!

"

She rolled her eyes.

"I meant, I don't want the kind of help where you do it for me, Reth!

" she growled.

"I meant, help me be able to take care of myself! If you would show me, I know I could learn. I've already strengthened, and I'm getting better at the defense.

"

Reth pulled the furs back and walked over, fully nude, to join her. He didn't miss the flicker of her eyes down his body—but he also saw her force herself to drag her eyes back up and not to stare at him, but to keep her gaze on his.

"Show me,

" he said quietly.

She frowned and her cheeks pinked.

"Well, obviously I can't do anything against you, Reth. You're far too big and skilled. I just meant that I'm starting to get better at, you know—

"

The vixen must have been waiting for him to reach for her. It was something he did without thought, a natural urge to touch her. When she looked sheepish, he'd lifted a finger to push her hair back over her shoulder, to let her know she could be open with him even when he was angry. But then as soon as his hand was extended, she snapped her hands in an X on either side of his wrist, then flipped them, so his hand was bent backwards over her wrist, and she had his fingers pulled back to the verge of breaking.

Taken by surprise—and not a little arousal at the clean way in which she'd delivered the hold—Reth immediately sagged to take the pressure off his fingers, and he smiled, showing his teeth.

"That's very good, Elia,

" he said with a small smile.

"That would be very useful against most people.

"

"Most? It got you didn't—

"

With a wicked grin he dropped to one knee, grabbing her with his free arm and flipping her bodily so his caught arm was no longer bent the wrong way, and instead he had a grip on her. He laughed, but Elia cursed and batted at the arm he had hooked around her middle, holding her off the ground so she couldn't get any leverage.

"Elia, don't be angry,

" he chuckled.

"Not even a strong Anima woman would be expected to fight me one on one—

"

"I need the training!

" she said, hanging off his arm, tears welling in her eyes that made his heart break.

"You can see! I need to be taught so at the very least someone like you can't flip me around like that!

"

Reth stared at her, the laughter dying on his lips.

"You're serious.

"

"Of course I'm serious. Did you think I've been doing this for the past two months for fun?

"

"No, but…

"

They stared at each other for a long moment, then he realized he was still holding her, and put her gently on her feet. She pulled her shirt closed and started doing the buttons.

"Elia, training as a warrior is incredibly hard. Even for the strong.

"

"I know. I'm ready. To start, I mean. I'll do it as long as it takes.

"

"Part of the process is to push people to their limits. It can be grueling. And it's always humbling.

"

"Do I strike you as a particularly arrogant person, Reth? I want to learn! I'm asking you to show me.

"

He stared until she had finished the buttons, then she looked up and met his gaze.

"Is your hesitation because you think it's a bad idea? Or because you just don't want to do it?

"

"No, I just…

" he rubbed a hand over his face.

"Very well, wife. We'll start tomorrow. I will wake you early. We'll have to fit it in before our other duties.

"

"What time? I'll tell the others to—

"

"No, Elia. Just you.

"

"But—

"

"You prove yourself, first,

" he said firmly.

"You show me what you're capable of. If you prove strong enough, then I'll help you train the others.

" She glared at him, but he tipped his head.

"Are you afraid you don't have what it takes?

" he asked quietly—taunting.

"No!

"

"Then those are my terms. Part of being a warrior is being self-disciplined and patient. So you can prove yours by waiting for what you want and enduring my attentions alone. I will train you every day for two hours—every day, Elia, if we're going to do this, we are going to do it properly. And when you have made progress, I will assist you in teaching what you know to the others.

"

She covered her mouth and smiled for the first time and his heart lightened for the first time since he'd seen her up in the clearing.

"Thank you, Reth,

" she whispered.

She stared at him like she might be coming to kiss him, but he caught himself.

"No more training behind the boulder,

" he said warningly.

Her smile faded, but must have decided he wouldn't be budged because she sighed.

"Then these are my terms,

" she said stepping up to put a warm hand to his beautiful chest.

"If you miss one day of training me for anything that isn't outright war, I get to go to the boulder with the others.

"

"Done.

"

Then she smiled up at him through her lashes.

"Agreed,

" she said and, grabbing his ears, she pulled him down into a kiss that made his breath pant.